Southport 14-year-old becomes youngest Briton to pilot solo

Despite having to wait almost three years before he can legally drive a car, a 14-year-old teen from Southport, Merseyside, has become the youngest person in the UK, and one of the youngest in the world, to fly solo in a powered aircraft.

Junior aviator, Maksim Ferguson, took to the sky at Spectrum Airways in Burlington, Ontario, Canada on Monday 15th April to fulfil his dream of solo piloting a powered plane at 14 years, one month and 28 days old.

Marking what was his first ever solo flight, saw Maks take off alone in gusty conditions in a Piper PA-28 single engine, four-seater aeroplane, where he ascended to c.1,000 ft., navigated the chosen flight path and communicated with Canadian air traffic control, before successfully touching back down at the Burlington airstrip.

Book Your Tickets

It's now easier than ever to buy your AeroExpo UK tickets in advance. Save £5 compared to the on-the-gate price by booking online. Remember children under 16 years also get free entry when accompanied by an adult.